Chapter 201: The Pup’s Name
Chapter 201: The Pup’s Name
(Aria’s POV)
I looked down at our sleeping son in his hospital crib, then back at Dominic with mock indignation. “Gabriel Blackwood? Really? You just threw out such a random name without any thought?”
Dominic’s silver–gray eyes gleamed with mischief, a familiar smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. “I was teasing you, Aria. Did you really think I’d name our heir without proper consideration?”
My pregnant wolf stirred with curiosity, recognizing that playful tone. “Then what name were you actually thinking?
“Nolan,” he said softly, his voice carrying the weight of Alpha authority. “Nolan Blackwood.”
I tested the name silently, my wolf humming with approval. Nolan – strong, distinctive, befitting the future Alpha of the Shadow Pack. I looked down at our tiny son again, studying his peaceful features.
“Nolan Blackwood,” I repeated, my maternal instincts responding to the name. “It’s perfect.”
Dominic’s expression softened with relief. “It means ‘champion‘ in the old werewolf tongue. A name that will serve him well in our world.”
Our son stirred slightly at the sound of his name, his tiny wolf already responding to his parents‘ voices. My heart swelled with love as I watched him settle back into sleep.
“Welcome to the world, Nolan,” I whispered, gently stroking his soft cheek.
The following week passed in a blur of sleepless nights and endless feedings. Dominic had practically turned my hospital room into his Shadow Pack office, conducting business meetings while pacing the floor with a fussy Nolan in his arms.
“Alpha Blackwood,” Dr. Nathan Lewis said during one of his check–ups, “you don’t have to stay here constantly. Your mate and pup are perfectly safe.”
“I’m not leaving them,” Dominic replied firmly, his protective instincts in full force. “My pack can function around my family’s needs.”
My wolf purred with contentment at his devotion. Having my Alpha mate refuse to leave our side made me feel cherished and protected during this vulnerable time.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Dr. Nathan cleared us for discharge. “You’re both healthy and strong.” he announced. “Ready to go home?”
“More than ready,” I replied, my wolf eager to return to our Moon Valley territory where we belonged.
The drive home was peaceful, with Nolan sleeping soundly in his car seat. Dominic’s cedar scent wrapped around us protectively, and I felt my wolf finally relax completely for the first time in months.
Two weeks passed quickly in a haze of new mother exhaustion and overwhelming love. Nolan was growing stronger each day, his werewolf heritage evident in his alertness and the way he responded to our voices. “He’s almost a month old,” I marveled, watching him track movements with his bright eyes. “Look how much
Chapter 201 The Pup’s Name
he’s grown.”
“He’s definitely a Blackwood,” Dominic said with pride, noting the distinctive silver–gray eyes that marked our son as his heir. “Those eyes could command a pack already.”
Nolan was becoming more handsome each day, his features settling into a miniature version of his father’s aristocratic face. My wolf purred with maternal pride every time I looked at him.
“The full moon celebration is next week,” Dominic mentioned casually, though his tone carried an
undercurrent of anticipation. “It will be held at the Blackwood estate.”
I looked up from where I was changing Nolan’s diaper, my enhanced senses picking up something significant
in his voice. “You sound like you’re expecting something interesting to happen.”
Dominic’s silver–gray eyes gleamed with strategic intent. “Let’s just say I’m promising you a good show.
My wolf stirred uneasily. “Have you found the person responsible for my childhood k********g?”
“I’ve laid the bait,” Dominic replied, his Alpha mind clearly working several moves ahead. “Now we wait to see
what we catch.”
The thought that the betrayer came from within the Lewis family made me feel cold inside. My wolf
whimpered at the idea of family members orchestrating such cruelty.
“I still can’t believe someone from my own family would do such a thing,” I said, my voice heavy with hurt.
“How could they tear apart their own pack?”
“Power and jealousy make people do terrible things,” Dominic said grimly. “Even to their own blood.”
I thought about the Lewis family dynamics, how they had always looked down on my father for choosing
business over traditional healing. Their pack politics had created divisions that ultimately endangered their
own family member.
“My father built their success with his medical expertise and financial support,” I said bitterly. “Yet they
resented him for not following the healing path.”
“That resentment created the perfect environment for betrayal,” Dominic agreed. “Someone saw an
opportunity and took it.”
My mind raced with possibilities, trying to identify who could have orchestrated my k********g. The web of family relationships suddenly seemed much more sinister.
Lost in my dark thoughts, I didn’t notice Dominic approaching until he waved his hand in front of my face. His powerful Alpha presence immediately grounded me in the present moment.
“Where did you go?” he asked gently, his cedar scent wrapping around me protectively. “You looked lost in
thought.”
“Just thinking about family betrayals,” I replied, shaking my head to clear the troubling images. “And hidden
enemies.”
Before Dominic could respond, Margaret Stone entered the room carrying a fussy Nolan. His little cries the air, and I could tell he was both hungr
Added to the library
“He’s been asking for you, Mrs. Blackwood,” Margaret said with her characteristic professional smile. “I think
he needs his mama.”
Chapter 201 The Pop’s Name
Immediately reached for my son, my maternal instincts taking over. “Come here, sweetheart. Mama’s here:
“You should rest, Margaret,” I told the nanny gratefully. “You’ve been working so hard taking care of us.
“Thank you, Mrs. Blackwood,” Margaret replied with obvious relief. “I’ll be in the kitchen if you need anything
I settled into the comfortable nursing chair, feeling Nolan’s tiny body relax against me as he began to feed, His wolf was already so attuned to mine, finding comfort in our natural bond.
“There you go,” I whispered softly, stroking his downy hair. “Better now?”
His contented sounds filled the quiet room, and I felt my own wolf settle into peaceful satisfaction. These quiet moments with my son were becoming my favorite part of each day.
After feeding, Nolan cuddled close against my chest, his tiny fists clutching at my shirt. His breathing grew deep and regular as sleep overtook him.
“He’s so peaceful when he’s with you,” Dominic observed, his voice filled with wonder. “Your wolf calms his.”
“It’s the mate bond extending to our pup,” I explained, feeling the invisible connection between all three of us.. “He knows he’s safe with his parents.”
Dominic reached out with gentle Alpha hands, carefully lifting Nolan from my arms. Our son immediately settled against his father’s chest, recognizing the strength and protection Dominic provided.
“Look at that,” I marveled, watching the two most important males in my life. “He trusts you completely.”
“He’s a smart pup,” Dominic replied, his expression soft with paternal love. “He knows his Alpha will always
protect him.”
I enjoyed this rare peaceful moment, watching my powerful mate cradle our tiny son with such tenderness. After months of danger and uncertainty, our little family was finally complete and safe.
The sound of a car engine interrupted our tranquil scene. Dominic’s enhanced hearing picked up the approaching vehicle immediately.
“Someone’s coming,” he said, moving to the window while still holding Nolan. “It’s a sedan I don’t recognize.”
I joined him at the window, my wolf’s senses alert. An elegant black sedan was pulling into our Moon Valley territory, its expensive polish gleaming in the afternoon sun.
“Who could that be?” I wondered aloud.
As the car stopped, a woman emerged from the passenger side. Even from a distance, her regal bearing was unmistakable. She moved with the kind of practiced grace that spoke of generations of aristocratic breeding.
“Isabella Blackwood,” Dominic said quietly, his voice carrying complex emotions. “My mother.”
My wolf stirred with surprise and curiosity. “I thought she was still traveling on pack business.”
“Apparently not,” Dominic replied, his tone becoming more formal. “She must have returned for the full moon
celebration.”
I was genuinely surprised because Isabella hadn’t attended our marking ceremony, only sending an e. gift with her formal congratulations. Her absence had created a noticeable void during what should have been a joyous family celebration.
ive
“I’m happy to see her,” I said honestly, my wolf responding positively to the idea of meeting my mate’s mother.
Chapter 201 The Pup’s Name
“I’ve always respected her for protecting you from your father’s political schemes.
Dominic’s expression grew complex. “She cared for me in her own way. But our family’s loveless political alliance complicated everything.”
I understood the pain in his voice. Isabella had sacrificed her own happiness to navigate the dangerous waters of Blackwood family politics, always protecting her son from Alpha King William’s manipulations
The front door opened, and Isabella entered with that same elegant grace I’d observed from the window. She was a striking woman in her fifties, with silver–streaked dark hair and the distinctive Blackwood gray eyes. Her expensive clothing spoke of wealth and status, but her expression remained carefully neutral. “Aria,” she said immediately, her maternal instincts showing through her composed exterior. “You should avoid the draft. You haven’t fully recovered from childbirth yet.”
I was touched by her concern, recognizing the kindness behind her seemingly cold aristocratic facade. “Thank you for worrying about me, Mother Isabella.”
“Of course,” she replied, her wolf’s protective instincts extending to me as the mother of her grandchild. “Your health is important to the entire pack.”
Dominic greeted his mother with formal Alpha courtesy, the emotional distance between them palpable despite their blood bond. “Mother. We weren’t expecting you.”
“I had business in the territory,” Isabella replied diplomatically. “I thought I should visit.”
I quickly stepped forward, offering Nolan to her with maternal pride. “Would you like to hold him? This is Nolan, your grandson.”
Isabella’s eyes softened momentarily as she looked at the sleeping baby. Her icy composure cracked just slightly as she recognized the unmistakable Blackwood features in his tiny face.
“He’s beautiful,” she said quietly, her wolf responding to the innocent pup despite her emotional walls. “He
has the family eyes.”
But instead of reaching for him, she stepped back slightly. “I won’t disturb his sleep. Newborns need their
rest.”
She reached into her expensive handbag and withdrew an ornate gift box wrapped in silver paper. “I came to deliver this. It’s for the full moon celebration.”
The box was clearly expensive, probably containing some family heirloom or traditional werewolf blessing. Isabella’s formal approach to everything, even gift–giving, maintained the emotional distance she seemed to
need.
“Thank you so much,” I said gratefully, accepting the gift with both hands. “This means a lot to us.”
Then I looked down at Nolan with playful affection. “Say thank you to your grandmother, sweetheart.”
The word “grandmother” seemed to affect Isabella deeply. Her carefully maintained composure slipped for just a moment, revealing a flicker of longing in her gray eyes.
At that exact moment, Nolan’s eyes opened. He stared directly at Isabella with those bright silver–gray eyes that marked him as a true Blackwood heir.
And then, as if sensing the importance of the moment, he smiled – that irresistible baby grin that could melt
Chapter 201 The Pain Hive
even the coldest heart.
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